Major Cabinet Changes: Gwenigale, Tarpeh Replaced

Special Statement to the Nation by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Delivered Sunday, November 16, 2014 My fellow Liberians: Even as we continue to combat the Ebola virus and strive to achieve our national objective of zero-new-cases by Christmas, we must also attend to what will be a difficult job of recovery – recovery to the health care system so that we deliver health care services all across the country and are better prepared for any epidemic of the size and scale of Ebola; recovery to the economy so that we are repositioned to produce more opportunities and afford decent and better living conditions for all our people; recovery to governance so that notwithstanding the superficial differences which haunt the body politic, we can still remain enjoined behind the common purpose of national healing and reconstruction. This requires a team that is adaptable, responsive, disciplined, loyal, and focused – a team that is understanding of the prevailing challenges, and are resolved to respond by taking appropriate risks to get things done on time. It is my job to continuously vet and ready such a team for the challenges we currently face and those that lie ahead. And so today, I announce a number of changes to the Executive Branch of the Government. A few are transferred or reassigned, signifying our recognition of their capabilities and performance. Others are dropped from where they served, but will be given appropriate opportunities to continue to serve the country. I am deeply grateful for the services and contribution of all of those we who have served or continue to serve. We are not short on expectation that going forward, each working day – indeed each working hour – will be spent not only on catching up and continuing with the transformational agenda of the country but also to exploring creative new approaches by which we deliver on the agenda within the limited time of our stewardship. My hope is that this team will take us to the finish line. But make no mistake: As Captain, I will not hesitate to change anyone who fails to meet our expectations. With these remarks, I am pleased to make the following initial appointments, others to follow at a subsequent time: Ministry of Public Works Mr. William Gyude Moore, Minister Mr. Roland Giddings, Deputy Minister for Administration Ministry of Education Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, Minister Dr. Nancy Freeman, Deputy Minister for Administration Mr. Anthony Nimely, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research and Development National Investment Commission Mrs. Etmonia David Tarpeh, Chairperson Ministry of Health Mr. George Werner, Minister Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection Mrs. Julia Duncan-Cassell, Minister Mr. Peter Roberts, Deputy Minister for Administration Mrs. Sienne Abdul-Baki, Deputy Minister for Gender Mrs. Mardia Martin Wiles, Deputy Minister for Policy, Planning & Technical Services Mrs. Lydia Sherman, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Wede Brownell, Deputy Minister for Administration Ms. Albratha Doe, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Transport Mr. Bushuben M. Keita, Deputy Minister for Administration Ministry of Commerce & Industry Mr. Cyril Allen, Jr., Deputy Minister for Commerce Mr. Mohammed Turay, Assistant Minister for Industry National AIDS Commission Ms. Candace Eastman, Commissioner (replacing Ms. Wessehdi Sio-Njoh) Ministry of Youth & Sports Mr. Ramses Kumbuyah, Deputy Minister for Administration (replacing Ms. Jacqueline Capehart) Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy Mr. Zack Sharpe, Deputy Minister for Administration Ministry of Information Mr. Andrew Tehmeh, Deputy Minister for Administration (to replace Norris Tweah who moves on to the University of Liberia) Ministry of Internal Affairs Ms. Gbemie Horace Kollie, Deputy Minister for Operations (replacing Mr. Ranney Jackson) Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Ms. Margretta Smith-General, Assistant Minister for Administration (replacing Mr. James Cooper) Liberia Broadcasting System Mr. Ledgerhood Rennie, Director General Mr. Patrick Honnah, Deputy Director General for Broadcasting Mr. Christopher Sellee, Deputy Director General for Rural Comms The special word on the change in the Ministry of Health. Dr. Gwenigale will continue to serve as Advisor until his planned retirement in February.

Liberianobserver.com is the online version of its print edition, the Daily Observer newspaper, a product of the Liberian Observer Corporation. The Daily Observer publishes a wide range of content including politics, business, sports and entertainment on and about Liberia. Follow us on social media for all the latest news and analysis.